Fighting corruption with e-learning

Transparency International (TI) Norway and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launch corruption prevention e-learning modules for staff and volunteers working in the humanitarian sector.

Today, TI Norway and the IFRC announced the launch of e-learning modules to help humanitarian organisations in their fight against corruption. Because humanitarian organisations are not immune from corruption, its risks, and its impacts, e-learning courses have been launched and will be available free of charge to staff and volunteers of humanitarian organisations and the general public. The goal of these learning modules is to proactively reduce the risk of corruption by raising awareness about the problem and providing staff and volunteers with the tools to identify, report, and reduce corruption risk.

Working in partnership since May 2013, both organisations worked diligently with a large number of stakeholders and partners to develop relevant and impactful learning for those working in all types of humanitarian contexts, regardless of their role, in order to help them in the fight against corruption. Through funding received from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, e-learning, face-to-face learning and case studies were developed. Furthermore the TI Handbook “Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Operations” was updated for the use of those working in the humanitarian sector.

“Corruption undermines the humanitarian mission that is the raison d’être of humanitarian operations. Relief is delivered in challenging environments, in the midst of conflict and where natural disasters have stretched or overwhelmed national capacities. The injection of large amounts of resources into resource-poor economies where institutions have been damaged or destroyed can exacerbate power asymmetries and increase opportunities for abuse of power. “ Transparency International Handbook (2014)

TI Norway and the IFRC are committed to fighting corruption and provide tools and knowledge to humanitarian workers. By taking proactive and meaningful measures against corruption, more financial, human, and time resources will be available to help those in need and the worlds most vulnerable.

The following three individual e-learning courses have been developed and are available to all learners:

The first two courses are now available in English on the IFRC Learning Platform at www.ifrc.org/learning-platform Additional versions in French, Spanish, and Arabic, and the course for managers are expected to be rolled-out within the next few months.

Quick facts
• Transparency International is the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. Through more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, TI raises awareness of the damaging effects of corruption and work with partners in government, business and civil society to develop and implement effective measures to tackle it. TI’s mission is to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. The Norwegian chapter of Tl was established in 1999 in Oslo.

• The IFRC was founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of World War I and is the largest volunteer-based humanitarian network in the world, reaching 150 million people each year through 189 member National Societies. Grounded in its seven Fundamental Principles, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Its mission is to “build a humane, dignified and peaceful world by helping National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to become stronger, promote their interests globally, and enable them to work together effectively as the IFRC”. Contact person: Sayed Hashem, Head of Risk Management and Audit, sayed.hashem@ifrc.org

• Transparency International published a handbook of best practices on Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Operations in February 2010. It was subsequently translated in multiple languages and revised in late 2014 to include six new tools. Electronic copy of the handbook is available at www.transparency.org/humanitarian-operations

• The IFRC Learning | Education | Training (LET) hub supports individuals and organizations with their lifelong learning. It stimulates new thinking, sets new standards, and establishes a range of curricula that are relevant to the Movements’ core business areas and beyond.